England Netball Pathway head coach Josie Pointon is confident that the Team England Futures programme is essential for preparing the next generation of netball stars for the Commonwealth Games. The initiative, run by SportsAid in collaboration with Commonwealth Games England, provides athletes, coaches, and support staff with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of multi-sport events, thereby equipping them for future Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
Understanding Multi-Sport Demands
Pointon, who is based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and serves as the Roses Pathway Head Coach at England Netball, emphasised the unique value of the programme. She noted that netball players often lack exposure to multi-sport competitions, as most of their experience comes from single-sport events. The Team England Futures programme bridges this gap by offering insights into the on-court and off-court demands placed on athletes and coaches.
“As netballers, we don’t compete in many multi-sport games – so a lot of our players at youth or academy level have only been exposed to single-game events,” Pointon explained. “Team England Futures supports athletes and coaches to better understand the demands placed on athletes, coaches, and teams on-court and off-court, which is invaluable.”
Building a Support Network
Pointon highlighted the importance of a robust support system for athletes aiming to perform on the international stage. The programme helps alleviate pressure by teaching athletes how to manage social media, navigate training cycles, and handle various scenarios. “The more wraparound systems are in place, the more we are prepared for any scenario,” she said. “Team England Futures helps to prepare our athletes for the demands of multi-sport games.”
Skills Development and Financial Support
The Future Roses chief elaborated on how the programme equips young athletes with the skills and tools necessary for success both on and off the court. She underscored the critical role of SportsAid in supporting athletes through their journey, from education initiatives to financial assistance.
“The Team England Futures project gives young athletes the skills and tools to develop on-and-off-court and ultimately that will help them to perform at the highest level,” Pointon stated. “The role of SportsAid in our athletes’ journey is massive, particularly in pathways where we’re working with younger, aspiring athletes on their journey to representing international sides. As well as wider initiatives like education help and financial support, all of that is just instrumental to help continue development across that journey.”
Glasgow 2026 and Beyond
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August. The city previously hosted the event in 2014. As part of the build-up, the King’s Baton Relay made a stop at the Alexander Stadium, with Team England’s official automotive partner Geely playing a key role in England’s leg.
Pointon emphasised the significance of the Commonwealth Games for netball, especially since the sport is not part of the Olympics. “The Commonwealth Games are hugely important for netball because we aren’t an Olympic sport,” she said. “I know there’s a big campaign to get into the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The profile of the Commonwealth Games allows us to connect with different audiences and fans that have never seen the sport. It also gives our athletes the chance to have that exposure in new environments and learn from different sports. Representing Team England also brings something different. We want to come home with gold medals, we’re aware that it’s going to be a hugely competitive Commonwealth Games and that a multitude of countries could be in the final.”
Commonwealth Games England has appointed SportsAid to lead the delivery of Team England Futures for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Building on the success of the programme at Birmingham 2022, Team England Futures will provide athletes, coaches, and support staff with valuable insight and experience of a major multi-sport Games environment, helping them prepare for future Commonwealth, Olympic, and Paralympic opportunities.
